The Government has invited proposals for the construction of a new lounge for bus drivers at the Dockyard bus depot.

Work is expected to include mobilisation and construction of the main building at the site, which will replace a prefabricated building.

The single-storey unit will be erected on the western side of Pender Road, in Sandys.

A request for proposals, published on the Government’s procurement website, said the project included removal and disposal of the existing structure.

Electrical, plumbing, painting and air-conditioning works will also be required at the site.

A pre-bid and site meeting is to be held on January 14 at 10am and the deadline for the submission of proposals is 4pm on January 31.

Plans for the project were approved last July, and a planning report said that the new building was in line with planning policies and would be an improvement for the area.

It said: “The nearby institutional buildings [Westgate Correctional Facility, Prison Officers Recreation Club, Casemates Naval Barracks and silos of the cement plant, to name a few] reflect ‘utilitarian architecture’, so the expansion integrates well with its surroundings.

“The bus lounge will not obstruct access to the site or disrupt pedestrian and vehicular movement.

“The proposed development complies with the ‘Bermuda image’ by maintaining the existing building's character, appearance and scale.”

The report writer noted that while the property was part of a wider historical area, the Historical Building Advisory Committee said the project would have no impact on the historical dock wall on the other side of the road.